Animal Biosecurity Advice 2020-A04 – Draft import risk review for psittacine birds from all countries

21 July 2020

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We initiated this review of existing import conditions for psittacine birds to reopen an avenue for psittacine bird imports into Australia, following the suspension of these conditions in 1995. The review takes into account current policy, new scientific information and international standards developed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

This draft review has identified diseases of biosecurity concern for this commodity and we have undertaken risk assessments of these diseases.

The scope of this review is limited to:

• Household pet psittacine birds, with owners immigrating to Australia to take up residence. These birds must have been owned by, and in the possession of their owners for at least one year immediately preceding pre-export quarantine. There will be a limit of two birds per person immigrating to Australia.
• Aviary psittacine birds, including birds kept for hobby purposes or exhibition, in zoos, wildlife parks and conservation programs, birds in breeding centres and private collections, and birds purchased from overseas. There will be no limit imposed on the number of birds imported under this category.

The review proposes that:

• Imports be permitted from countries that have been approved by the department as having satisfactory animal health services, providing a high level of assurance in the treatment, management and health status of animals exported to Australia.
• Note – countries with a history of compliant trade in relevant avian commodities with Australia will be approved for the export of household pet psittacine birds without the need for further assessment. These countries are Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States. Other countries seeking to export household pet psittacines, and any country seeking to export aviary psittacines will require assessment and approval before trade commences. Details of this process are provided in the draft review report.
• All imported psittacine birds be subject to a range of tests for diseases of biosecurity concern.
• Household pet psittacine birds undergo post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility in a standard room meeting Biosecurity Containment Level 2 (BC2) specifications.
• Aviary psittacine birds undergo post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility in a Biosecurity Containment Level 3 BC3 live bird room.

We invite comments on technical aspects of the risk assessment and proposed biosecurity measures. In particular, any comments on the appropriateness of the biosecurity measures and any other measures that would provide equivalent risk management outcomes. Comments should include supporting scientific evidence.

We will carefully consider all submissions before finalising the review.

Note that this risk review is conducted under the Biosecurity Act. It considers the risks that pests and diseases could be introduced as a result of the importation of psittacine birds. It does not consider the potential for the psittacine birds themselves to become environmental pests. This issue is regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Before any species of psittacine bird can be imported, it must first be included on the List of specimens taken to be suitable for live import.

To receive information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses subscribe to Biosecurity Risk Analysis Animal at subscribe.agriculture.gov.au/subscribe. Subscribers will receive biosecurity advice notices and other notifications about animal biosecurity policy.

[signed]

Dr Beth Cookson
Assistant Secretary
Animal Biosecurity
Email animal@agriculture.gov.au